NWLA Artists John Daniel, Kirsi-Marja Hardy, Madeline Marak, Paige Powell, Sherry Tamburo and Mike Torma will work in a collaborative, yet individual setting, in artspace at 708 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport from May 31 to August 11 to both demonstrate and experience how working in a downtown artist studio environment can be.

“artspace Artists’ Studios meets a need for piloting Artist Studios in Northwest Louisiana to understand the level to which they will serve as the backbone for the continued commitment to Authenticity, Community, Creativity and Sustainability in the development of Shreveport

Common,” explained Pam Atchison, SRAC Executive Director. “SRAC has awarded these six NWLA Professional Artists the opportunity to work collaboratively and learn from one another as well as to design and share with the public in their own Studio Space @artspace . This will also be a wonderful opportunity for the public to hear ‘how artists do what they do’ during special ‘LUNCH AND LEARN’ events. SRAC is even designating a separate ‘Do It Yourself or DIY’ studio space for the public to experience studio style collaboration with this summer’s artspace Studio Artists. artspace is the perfect location for the Artist Studios because its mission from the outset has been to support the creation, exhibition and presentation of all Arts,” added Atchison.

Each of the summer artspace Studio Artists brings a unique perspective and style to creating. Artist John Daniel hopes to share the medium of painting with alcohol inks. He uses this expressive, intuitive and unique style of art to create abstract and vibrant works. “I hope to show the public and other artists the magical world of alcohol inks while also taking in all of their works and exploring their fields of work. It is my hope we would all grow as a community of artists working together and alongside each other in the pursuit of art,” said Daniel.

Hardy is a fashion designer and looks forward to connecting with the public through her art. “I want to give the community a sense that they can do this—design and construct a garment to finish,” said Hardy.

Marak has just returned to Shreveport from Washington, DC, and plans to create landscape representations of Shreveport in her artspace studio that reflect a contemporary ideology of land. “I believe that the opportunity to make art surrounded by peer artists in an encouraging and collaborative environment is rare and should never be passed up,” said Marak.

Powell’s art is something many people can’t fathom—how computers and digital art can be used in tandem with traditional art to create mixed media masterpieces. “I hope the community will gain a better understanding of graphic design and how it is used to create digital art through my artspace Studio.

Tamburo is returning to artspace this summer with something brand new for her felting studio—larger scale, architectural-style felt wall pieces designed to be beautiful as well as functional for acoustical softening. “My goal is to raise awareness of the beauty, versatility and the sustainable nature of wool and other fibers. The process of working with raw materials that change right before your eyes is a type of alchemy that never cases to amaze me, ” said Tamburo.

Torma is a realism painter who almost never misses an opportunity to include a person or an animal in his art. “My hope for this downtown studio is a flurry of artistic output. I am looking forward to the creative synergy among artists that is at its peak in a studio environment such as this,” said Torma.

Summer is here—ready or not! So get your party started with Julie Crews’ solo exhibition, “GETTING THERE,” the magic of six artspace ARTISTS STUDIOS, the music and hand-crafted musical instruments of local trio Twang Darkly, cool crafted Culinary snacks and Cocktails (cash bar) by Parish Taceaux - all on Thursday, May 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s FREE and open to the public at 708 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

Additional opportunities to look forward to in artspace this summer include the following:

· artspace SUMMER FUN CAMPS for students 9 to 14 years of age. SRAC is committed to creating the next generation of artists and arts patrons. One of the most fun ways we do this is by filling summers with creative camps for your young people. Use paint, paper, found objects and clay to discover the artist in your child. Then watch the interest build as we teach these youngsters to combine art with science, technology, engineering and math to build up S.T.E.A.M. Summer Arts in Education programming has something for everyone—ages 9 to 14! Camps are June 11 through August 3. Call 318-673-6535 to register and check the website http://artspaceshreveport.com for updates.